Debates of 3 Mar 2009

MADAM SPEAKER
PRAYERS 10:35 a.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS 10:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker 10:35 a.m.
Hon. Members, I have a communication from His Excellency the President --
“26th February, 2009
NOMINATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT AS 10:35 a.m.
DEPUTY MINISTERS 10:35 a.m.
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 10:35 a.m.
OF GHANA 10:35 a.m.
ADDO 10:35 a.m.
SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT 10:35 a.m.
OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER 10:35 a.m.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE 10:35 a.m.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS AND THE OFFICIAL REPORT 10:35 a.m.
MOTIONS 10:45 a.m.
Mr. Albert Kan-Dapaah (NPP -- Afigya-Sekyere West) 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, let me thank you once again for this opportunity you have offered to me to contribute to the motion to thank H.E. the President for his maiden State of the Nation Address.
It certainly, Madam Speaker, must have been a very difficult assignment for his Excellency to deliver the State of the Nation Address after only some 40 days in office when I presume he was not sufficiently briefed on most matters of State. I can therefore sympathise with the problems that he had in doing this.
Even then, Madam Speaker, I want to recognize that I did appreciate and enjoy the sense of humour that he exhibited that day and I was also most impressed, by the statement that he made, and with your permission -- it has already been referred to by the hon. Ernest Debrah, the Hon Member for Tano North and also by Hon Fritz Baffour, the hon. Member for Ablekuma South. But I think it is worth repeating, Madam Speaker. He did say at page 2 and I quote, that:
“We will learn as a Nation to add to what is working, and to change course only when it is in the National Interest to do so. We will depart from the practice of undoing the valuable contributions of our predecessors. A house that is constantly rebuilding its foundation will remain stuck to the foundation level, never to reach completion and decoration, let alone occupation. Ghana deserves better.”
“Justifiable continuity” was what he used somewhere else to summarize what I have just read.
Madam Speaker, I also want to thank His Excellency that he did find space for the energy sector in his Address and especially in the petroleum industry.

Madam Speaker, the discovery of
rose
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am wondering what the lawyers have to say about what the accountant has said when it comes to figures, so please give me a chance -- [Interruptions.]
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I, ordinarily, should not be rising on a point of order but on an issue of fact that the hon. Member has made, he has repeatedly been talking about the President having less than 40 days in office and by his judgment will not have had sufficient information to make pronouncements on the national debt.
Madam Speaker, may I remind the hon. Albert Kan-Dapaah that in 2001, just to correct the basis of his argument, the then President, Kufuor was not even 30 days in office when he delivered his State of the Nation Address. But he shared with this honourable House on the basis of information that he had, sufficient information when he said that national
debt -- it was not an accurate figure -- at that time, even today, His Excellency the President was forthright in sharing with this House the state of the national debt.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 10:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, my hon. Friend is somebody I have tre- mendous respect for and I would have wished that he had not made this kind of intervention. He obviously does not seem to have some love for figures - I can understand.
Madam Speaker, the point that I was making was that, yes, there is some debt at Tema Oil Refinery - the current liabilities, in fact, stand at the figure that His Excellency gave but he needed to also take into account current assets of Tema Oil Refinery at this point in time. When you net the two of them in finance, this is very simple accounting, and Madam Speaker, we talk about the net current assets or the net current liabilities - that is what he should have been talking about.
Alhaji Sumani Abukari 11:05 a.m.
On a point
of order. Madam Speaker, with the greatest respect to my consultant, he is, indeed, my consultant, the President did not come here to give us a balance sheet of the state of the economy. He came to give us facts as they stood in the books. So for him to constantly refer to his not talking about assets - talking about assets for that Address was irrelevant. He was telling us that we owe so much; we are so much in debt but do not panic, we would solve those problems. And these figures were given to him by his team that he had sent to the Ministry of Finance which was ably assisted by the former staff of the Ministry of Finance.
So he did not have to give us a balance sheet; he did not have to say debts and assets and what not, he did not have to do that. He was just making a statement of facts. We have so much debt; and that is the right figure. He did not want to go into assets. After all, when we did the roads and everything in 2001, the President increased my vocabulary of Twi by introducing pim pim, pim, pim, pim, which I have never heard before. So I do not know where he is coming from, Madam Speaker, I think he should stop referring to it.
Minority Leader (Mr. Osei Kyei- Mensah-Bonsu) 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I know and we all do know that we would be winding up the debate on the President's State of the Nation Address today. Really, what we are witnessing constitutes, in my view, points of disorder and not points of order.
Madam Speaker, Standing Order 91(a) is very clear on this --
“Debates may be interrupted --
( a ) by a po in t o f o rde r being raised”.
And Standing Order 92(1), and Madam
Speaker, with your indulgence, I beg to quote:
“No Member shall interrupt any other Member except:
(a) by rising to a point of order, that is, where any of these Orders is alleged to have been infringed . . .”
So we want to know which Order, indeed, the hon. Member has used. Really, they want to elucidate on some point that is being made or seek further information, or add to or subtract from, and they are points of argument.
Madam Speaker, with respect to you, I believe that the interventions of my hon. good Friend should be ruled completely out of order and we make progress.
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
Except that I thought he was correcting some figures.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, when it comes to correcting or elucidating on a matter, the person on the floor must yield - [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
He sat down.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, in this case, they were points of argument and points of debate.
Madam Speaker 11:05 a.m.
I am glad you
have drawn my attention to when a point of correction is being made, that Hon Members must know that if you do not want that, you do not sit down. But when you sit down when a point of correction is proposed, I take it that you have allowed yourself to be corrected. So if you do not allow it, you do not sit down. Anyway, shall we move on?
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I think because you just said it, it is important that I repeat it. They did not correct anything. What I said in very simple language is that when you are
taking my liabilities into account, my debts into account, please consider also my assets. It is a very simple fact and my attention has just been drawn to the fact that some businessmen from the Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) are at the gallery so we must be careful what we say.
Madam Speaker, to go back to the point that I was making, there is this famous pledge by His Excellency to bring down the prices of petroleum products. And I said that we have a God-given opportuni- ty for us to do just that. Today, the traded price of crude oil has gone down from as high as $140 to as low as $40 and the prediction is that it will even go down.
We are therefore hoping that the good news will be communicated to Ghanaians on Thursday, 5th March, 2009 when the Hon Minister for Finance comes to read his Budget, that there has been a reduction in the prices of petroleum products. Failing that, the Government would have failed Ghanaians and I believe they are not willing to fail Ghanaians so early in their Administration.
Mr. Haruna Iddrisu 11:05 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I am rising on a point of order, Order 92. The former Hon Minister for Energy left the Ministry of Defence but I can still see his love for the Ministry for Energy even as he speaks.
Madam Speaker, he keeps repeating that he expected His Excellency the President to have made a pronouncement in the reduction of petroleum prices. He
knows and he facilitated a deregulated environment under the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and the mandate for determining the prices of petroleum products is not His Excellency the President -- [Uproar.] It is to be determined by the NPA and His Excellency is awaiting the advice of the NPA to incorporate this in his Budget Statement.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:15 a.m.
Madam Speaker, for the information of my hon. Friend, the ex-pump price, the price at which Ghanaians buy petrol at the petrol stations is made up of the ex-refinery price and series of taxes. The series of taxes are determined by Government, not by the NPA and the promise by His Excellency and the NDC Government was that they will so arrange the tax portion such that the ex-pump price comes down. Ghanaians would hold them on to this task. [Hear! Hear!] [An Hon Member: CJA.]
Madam Speaker, I also welcome the decision by His Excellency to resolve once and for all, the financial problems that VRA and ECG are experiencing. That is very good. We need power for develop- ment purposes and it is important that we restore the financial abilities of these companies. I want to advise that at the core of all these, is the political boldness that the Government will have to allow the Public Utilities Regulation Commission (PURC) to do its work without political interference and I am hoping that His Excellency will allow PURC to do that and do not allow politics to go into it.
Madam Speaker, another thing that I was very happy to hear about was the pledge by His Excellency to take production of power from 1,800 megawatts to 5,000 megawatts. That is very, very ambitious but it is achievable. It is achievable just because of the groundwork that we have made. [Hear! Hear!] We were accused of not adding to generation capacity. Our

argument was that, it did not make sense to increase generation capacity when we were going to rely on crude oil.

Number two, Madam Speaker, if we are going to be able to do this, it is because we have now been able to discover oil and with it we are going to get gas, so we are going to be able to achieve 5,000 megawatts and we commend H.E. the President for that, he is going to do that.

Madam Speaker, that is even more important because we have also brought into being, what we call the West African power pool which provides immediate market to any electricity that we generate here.

Madam Speaker, when it comes to electricity generation, Ghana is more efficient than all countries around the region. We should therefore take advantage of the West African power pool and the availability of gas, to become the leading producer of electricity for the West African market. We have prepared the ground work and I am happy that His Excellency is going to do that.

Madam Speaker, if I was happy that sufficient space was found for energy- related matters, I was disappointed, that not much space was found for the defence and security sectors of this country.

Madam Speaker, the 1992 Constitution spells out the importance of protecting our national values and institutions -- The
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:15 a.m.
Again, Madam Speaker, as a country we need to invest in peace, and one way of investing in peace is to make sure that these security institutions are sufficiently provided with the necessary logistics to enable them to do their work. As a Government, we did condemn the notion that military expenditure is wasted expenditure.
Military expenditure is not wasted expenditure and we are very, very proud of the massive investment that we made in the sector in terms of office and the residential accommodation, in terms of pay and allowances, in terms of the provision of equipment to the Ghana Armed Forces including the jet. Madam Speaker, we want to urge His Excellency the President, to continue with this. We must sufficiently resource the Ghana Armed Forces and use them for national development purposes.
I want to say, Madam Speaker, that we will support every measure that they bring here which will have the effect of providing for the needs of the Ghana Armed Forces. At the same time, Madam Speaker, we want to urge Government to stay out of the normal day-to-day operations of the Ghana Armed Forces.
We were most discouraged by this attempt to stop those boys and girls who were recruited to join the Ghana Armed Forces; there was no need for that
political intervention which resulted in these people being sent home. The Ghana Armed Forces as an institution, is so well organized, they go through the proper procedures in enlisting these people and we think it was most unfortunate that the Government stepped in as it did and which has brought this confusion. We must say that we will resist any attempt to politicise the Ghana Armed Forces.

Nii Amasah Namoale: On a point of order. Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleague is out of order. Order 93 (4) reads:

“The speech of a Member must have reference to the subject matter under discussion”.
Madam Speaker 11:15 a.m.
But I think what he was saying about the Ghana Armed Forces and the security appeared in the Address, so it is relevant.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu 11:15 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I believe that, as we all do know, we have the freedom of speech in this House and this freedom shall not be impeached anywhere. But I believe we should not, in the process, abuse this freedom. My hon. Colleague in his intervention made a statement that at the time of the unfortunate murder of the Ya- Na, the Ghana Armed Forces was in place but yet they kept mute for the Ya-Na to be murdered. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker, if one makes such a statement, the obvious implication is that the Ghana Armed Forces was involved in some kind of conspiracy to murder the Ya-Na -- [Interruption] -- and that is why I am saying that we should be very mindful of the statements that we utter on the grounds of this House. I think it is important that Hon Members advert their minds to this and not abuse the privileges of the House.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:15 a.m.
Madam Speaker, for somebody like me with so much passion for the Ghana Armed Forces, I could have been annoyed by what my hon. Friend said but I can only advise him that he must be careful what he says about the Ghana Armed Forces. We should, at all times, try to take politics out of the Ghana Armed Forces. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker, as I said, we are extremely disturbed by the reported harassment of officers in the Ghana Armed Forces only because of their perceived sympathy for the minority parties and we believe this should stop.
Madam Speaker, I also want to make a very important point that we must use our security agencies to protect businesses;
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:25 a.m.
we should not use them to prosecute businesses.
Madam Speaker, I was also most discouraged to find that for instance, in recent times, we have seen the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) involving itself with the case of the Managing Director of the National Investments Bank.

Madam Speaker, that was not necessary, it is the duty of the BNI to be doing what it was doing. The Ghana Police Service and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) ought to be doing these things and it is important that at the appropriate time, we should all sit down in this House and find out what should be the exact role of security agencies such as the BNI. It is totally wrong for the BNI to have involved themselves in the way that they did in the case involving the Managing Director of the National Investments Bank.

And again, Madam Speaker, in recent

Madam Speaker, these are very important issues and I hope that our friends there would take them seriously.

I was equally disappointed that no

mention was made of some of the things that have been going on in this country after the elections. Madam Speaker, I would not want to mention them, I would

not want to list them, but there have been lots of attempts to persecute those who are members of the minority parties -- [Uproar]. People were being beaten out of their houses, people were being harassed here and there, only because of the fact that they belong to the minority party.

Madam Speaker, it is important we put a stop to this and I was expecting that something should have been said about this in the Address by His Excellency.

Madam Speaker, I want to reiterate the fact that we must do everything possible, and I think the responsibility is on the Government to do everything possible to ensure that they do not politicise the security agencies. What we are seeing and what we are hearing today is that there is conscious attempt to politicise the security agencies, especially the Ghana Armed Forces but that should not happen.

Madam Speaker, I want to end with two
Mr. C. S. Hodogbey 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
on a point of order. Madam Speaker, I would have preferred Hon Kan-Dapaah to gear his contribution to the issue we are discussing. Madam Speaker, all along his statements touching on all the security agencies, seem to be, excuse me to say, very subversive. I repeat, his statements touching on all the security agencies seem to be too subversive. At one point he stated that “they would resist any attempt to politicise the security agencies.” In the President's Address there is nowhere in this booklet where the President had made any statement that the security agencies would be politicised in favour of National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
I think that the
point that the Hon Member was raising
really is that it is not relevant. But since he was speaking on security and the Army and so on, I think he has freedom of speech here and so it is relevant. That is the point he raised even though we should be careful like the hon. Minority Leader says how we use our privilege here.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
I have already ruled
on that point.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, if
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Well , Hon
Members, the Hon Member has asked me to ask for a withdrawal and you are asking for a withdrawal of the same thing, so I do not think that it is necessary. I have ruled that what you are saying is relevant to the topic. I think you should carry on from there.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the point that I was trying to make is that the Hon Member has accused me of trying to be subversive. That is a very serious charge which should not be allowed to stand in the records because that is the last thing I would do. I have never attempted to be subversive and I believe Madam Speaker, it is important that he withdraws that.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
will only withdraw my statement if the Hon Member is also able to withdraw his words that “they would resist” -- [Inter- ruptions.] Madam Speaker, they would resist by what means?
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, I did not hear him say how he would resist. Was it by arms or what?
Mr. Hodogbey 11:25 a.m.
Yes. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker, he said “they would resist”. He should tell us the means that he would use to resist.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Hon Member, if the
Hon Member did not say that he was going to resist it by arms or anything -- I think the dictionary says the word “resist” can be by words or anything, because I did not hear the Hon Member say he would resist by arms or violence. Yes, we are permitted to resist some wrong things. Even in the Constitution, we are told to resist any attempt to overthrow the Government. So if it is the word “resist” that you are complaining about then I do not think that, that is right.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, the
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
Well, is he not
by merely talking about it resisting any attempt? He can resist it in any way. What did you understand it to mean -- then maybe, we can move ahead. What do you think the “resist” means?
Mr. Hodogbey 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he
should explain the method or ways that he thinks they would be able to resist.
Madam Speaker 11:25 a.m.
I would ask him so
that we quickly finish this.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:25 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
I have a duty as a Member of Parliament and as a Ghanaian to resist the oppressors rule and I will at all times resist. And I

believe Madam Speaker, that he also has a duty, unless he does not subscribe to the National Anthem. If he does, then he also has an obligation to resist any attempt to politicise any of the security agencies. If he has a problem with the word “resist”, I can only suggest that he has a second look at the dictionary. But I think I have a duty, just as he has, to resist the oppressors rule at all times.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
So you are resisting

Hon Member, I have ruled that I do not think it is a point of order. He is permitted to go the way he is going to comment on the State of the Nation Address - and we are debating this; there is freedom of speech and “resist” does not, to me, mean an unparliamentary word. I do not think it is an unparliamentary word and for this reason I would ask him to continue. [Hear! Hear!] Hon Member, your time is running out now.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:35 a.m.
Yes, Madam
Speaker, except that I take the charge very seriously and with most respect, I will appeal to you to ask my Friend to withdraw that word -- [Some Hon Members -- No] -- I will not want it to be in the records. Madam Speaker, it means a lot to me and I want your intervention on this matter.
Mr. J. T. Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
it is precisely because Hon Kan-Dapaah is insisting on the Hon Member here withdrawing his statement that I want your guidance on Standing Order 93 (2):
“It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blas- phemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to any other Member or to make personal allusions.”
Madam Speaker, if I am to interpret this Standing Order, Hon Kan-Dapaah has made personal allusions and he has gone further --
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
To whom, “personal
allusions.”
Mr. Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Personal allusions --
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Who is the person
he made this allusion to?
Mr. Akologu 11:35 a.m.
Who is the person ?
-- [Interruptions.] Please, listen to me. Madam Speaker, he made it by himself and he has gone further to say that he is resisting oppressor's rule. Who are the oppressors in this? [Uproar.] Who are the oppressors? He is making a personal allusion that he thinks that somebody is oppressing him and the Hon Member is saying that, to that extent, he is wrong and he should discontinue making that statement. To that extent, if the Hon Member wants him to withdraw he should also withdraw the portion that somebody is oppressing him.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
All right, Hon
Member, can I rule on this? The Hon Member asked me to rule on Standing Order 93 (2) and that, if I may read it:
“It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blas- phemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to any other Member or to make personal allusions.”
I think “personal allusions” refer to a Member and that is why I asked whether -- [Interruption] -- Yes. I do not think he made any personal allusions to the Hon Member here. So that Standing Order is inapplicable here. I hope we would put this to rest and carry on with the debate.
Hon Members, it seems to me that
it is the word “resist” which is being misunderstood here, so I have ruled that I do not think “resist” means anything than what it says. And so I think that that is the end of the matter.
Mr. Ambrose P. Dery 11:35 a.m.
Madam
Speaker, I think that you have ruled and to the extent of your ruling one can only come by a motion to challenge that. But having said that, Standing Order 93 (2) clearly shows that what the Hon Member on the other side has done is to impute improper motives to a Member of Parliament, namely, that he is going to indulge in criminal activity, unconstitutional activity, subversive and we know what it is punishable by.
Madam Speaker, since you have ruled -- [Interruptions.] Please, since you have ruled that he is in order, it stands to reason that those words are misplaced and should be withdrawn. Madam Speaker, my fear is that if this is not done, we will consider people who, within democratic means, such as Committee for Joint Action (CJA), resisting anything to be sub-versive and I think it will be unfair. So Madam Speaker, I think in all fairness he has erred; to err is human, he should withdraw and let us go on.
rose
Mr. Hodogbey 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker
- I am not withdrawing, do not say “I”, “I”, … I am not withdrawing. Madam Speaker, during the entire debate of Hon Kan-Dapaah, he has used several words. Words like “oppressors rule”, words like “we shall resist”. If he is able to explain those words touching on all the security agencies, even the last one to BNI, if he is able to explain all those things I will be
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Hon Member, I
think that you should withdraw. Please, withdraw that statement, that is all. We have to guard against any allusions to Members in this House and if that is what he understands by it, withdraw it.
Mr. Hodogbey 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
I am withdrawing on condition that -- [Some hon. Members -- No.] Or just for the respect to the Chair, I withdraw the statement.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
He has withdrawn,
all right. Hon Kan-Dapaah, he has withdrawn, can you carry on.
Mr. Kan-Dapaah 11:35 a.m.
Madam Speaker,
I would wish to conclude my remarks by making an appeal to our Friends and to Government that the recent disturbances in Bawku which have started are most unfortunate. We want to assure them that we have gone through this before and we will appreciate an opportunity for both sides to put our heads together and find a lasting solution to the crisis that we find in there.
The second advice I would want to give,
Madam Speaker, is that I had the privilege of serving in four Ministries, the last one being the Ministry of Defence. Madam Speaker, I was very lucky to have, as a Special Aide, a military officer. I believe he made a whole lot of difference to my performance at that Ministry and when it comes to selecting Special Aides for new Ministers, I will strongly recommend that we look to the Ghana Armed Forces in finding appro-priate personnel to be special aides to serving Ministers.
I thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity to contribute to this Address.
Madam Speaker 11:35 a.m.
Thank you, Hon Member. The next contributor will be hon. Gabriel Essilfie (Shama).
Mr. G. K. Essilfie (NDC -- Shama) 11:45 a.m.
Thank you, Rt. Hon. Speaker, for the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the floor relative to His Excellency, the President's maiden State of the Nation Address.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank the
President for such brilliant, inspirational and visionary State of the Nation Address. I also want to applaud the President for his humility in delivery and his wisdom in recognising our two living former Presidents in this House.
I also want to applaud the President for
the affirmation of his resolve to continue the good works of his predecessors.
Madam Speaker, the President, indeed,

Madam Speaker, now with your

permission, I would like to get to some key areas of the President's State of the Nation Address. Please, allow me to get into the economy.

For eight good years, our nation

was plagued with the voodoo economic policies of Kufuornomics which in effect was telling all of us that indeed, excessive and wasteful spending was appropriate for
Dr. A.A. Osei 11:45 a.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, as we were told by Hon Kan-Dapaah, when we are debating in this Parliament, we do have people in the public gallery and it is not very good for an Hon Member to grossly mislead this House. Madam Speaker, it is one thing if one does not understand the subject matter; and it is another thing to move from Juaboso economics to Shama economics -- [Laughter.]
Madam Speaker, clearly, either my
rose
Dr. Osei 11:45 a.m.
Madam Speaker, for the
avoidance of doubt, Hon Prof. J. E. Atta Mills, His Excellency, is not only our President but he is my brother.
Madam Speaker, His Excellency did
not say that we started out with GH¢5.8 billion. So for him to misquote His
Excellency, is trying to impute wrong intentions on the part of His Excellency and he must withdraw. In fact, Madam Speaker, His Excellency will confirm that as of 2001 the stock of external debt stood at $7.1 billion.
He said the President said GH¢5.8 billion. I do not know if he intended to misrepresent the President, but if he did not, I think he should do the proper thing and apologise to His Excellency the President - [Uproar.] Madam Speaker, it is not very good for a member of the President's Government to come to this House to falsely misrepresent the President. And as a member of the Majority party, I think what he is doing to the President is grossly unjust and it is a disservice to the nation and to his party and to his President. He should withdraw that statement.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
I think I have taken
your point.
Dr. Osei 11:45 a.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
But I think all
Dr. Osei 11:45 a.m.
Because I did not want him to impute improper motives.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
No, I do not think he has imputed improper motives.
Dr. Osei 11:45 a.m.
I wanted to be sure that he knows that he is misrepresenting the President.
Madam Speaker 11:45 a.m.
I do not think that
there is improper motive on his part. I do not think so.
Hon Member for Shama, I think he says he has made the correction, can you carry on.
Mr. Essilfie 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, with all
due respect to my Hon Colleague from Old Tafo, during my contribution, I never said the President said we started our national debt stock with GH¢5.8 billion. I rather said Kufuornomics got its tutelage from Tafonomics which seem to tell us last week that if you start a national debt with GH¢5.8 billion and you are forgiven GH¢5 billion, and you end up with GH¢7.6, in his arithmetical calculation, it meant that our debt that we incurred throughout the whole eight-year period was GH¢600 million.
However, if indeed, he is saying that what he said was that we started off with GH¢7.1 billion and if we are forgiven - let me give him the benefit of the doubt - if one starts with GH¢7.1 billion and one is forgiven GH¢5 billion and then one ends up with 7.6 billion, I do not see how one will end up with only incurring a debt of GH¢600 million. Unless, of course, he is trying to tell us that GH¢5 billion forgiveness of debt is still indeed, in the GH¢7.6 billion. If that is not in the GH¢7.6 billion, then his calculation is totally false.

Madam Speaker, I would like to let my hon. Friend understand one thing. He is an economist; I would advise him to stay with propounding economic theories. When it comes to financial accounting and financial statement interpretations, I want him to understand that the profession has principles and standards that we go by in our presentations.

Madam Speaker, indeed, based on international accounting principles and conventions, what we are talking about here, if you want to put it in the proper context has to do with presentation of the cash flow statement which is very important to financial statement

presentation. So if, indeed, we are presenting this information in the proper context then we did not borrow in the eight-year period only GH¢600 million; we did borrow close to GH¢5 billion in the eight-year period.
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I do not
know my Hon Member's background --
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Dr. Osei, I
think you corrected something; it is on record that - [Interruptions.] and he is entitled to what he thinks, he may be wrong, but you have corrected certain facts which would be on record.
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he is
quoting directly from me and that tells me that he did not understand what I said. Madam Speaker, if he can go to the Hansard --
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
All right, if it is a
point of correction again, make it.
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Yes, because he is mis-
leading this House and also the nation by referring to some international financial accounting practice -
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Well, he is entitled
to his views.
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, if he would
go to the Hansard, as to what was said and with your permission I quote what I said:
“After repayment, debt relief and borrowing the net borrowing per annum . . .”
“Net”. That is what I said. So for him to stand here, having read the Hansard and make allusions to some international
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
All right, thank
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
My only plea is that he does
not misquote me because the word I used was “net”. He was misquoting me.
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
Hon Member, he
said “net”. He corrected that one. Kindly move on from this point.
Mr. Essilfie 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, exactly my point, because when you are presenting information just like the hon. Member, Mr. Kan-Dapaah stated, that when you are presenting information, you present the
liabilities, you present the current assets, the same way, the principles require you, when you are presenting such important information you do not net them. We call it “all inclusive concept” and in the all-inclusive concept, you do not net it. [Inter-ruptions.] Period.
I am sure, Madam Speaker, those my Hon Brothers and Sisters here who are accountants like myself, those who have been in this profession, who have been qualified as chartered accountants or certified public accountants for 30 good years and have done this work know that you do not net this information; you present it on the all-inclusive basis and therefore my Hon Brother is wrong.
Madam Speaker, let me move on to the area of deficit spending. I find the explanation that has been given thus far - [Interruptions.].
rose
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
He has accepted
your “net” correction.
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, he was
quoting Hon Kan-Dapaah.
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
The Hon Kan-
Dapaah is not here.
Dr. Osei 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I just want
to remind him on what Hon Kan-Dapaah said -- [Interruptions.] Madam Speaker, Hon Kan-Dapaah was making reference to the fact that the proper concept should have been either net current assets or net current liabilities; precisely what he was saying. Madam Speaker, in any case what I was talking about was not what his accounting is talking about. I was talking about economics, not his accounting. So the two are not the same.
Madam Speaker 11:55 a.m.
But he was talking
about accountancy, so they are two different things. Can we move one.
Mr. Essilfie 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I
consider, so far there has been explanations given for the deficits spending of GH¢2.5 billion in 2008. But I find that explanation idiosyncratic -- [Uproar!] -- and very self-fulfilling. I find it self- fulfilling because, Madam Speaker -- [Interruptions.]
Dr. Appiah-Kubi 11:55 a.m.
On a point of order.
Madam Speaker, I believe that our Hon Colleague is totally misleading this House. He is talking about financial accounting and even going into financial accounting there is no concept -- [Interruptions.] I am Dr. Appiah-Kubi -- [Some Hon Members: Teach him!] There is nothing like all-inclusive concept in financial accounting. What we know of, even in financial statement analysis is gross and net interpretation. So our hon. Colleague is totally misleading this House. [Hear! Hear!]
Mr. Essilfie 11:55 a.m.
Madam Speaker, I would
Mr. Essilfie 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, what surprises me with the explanation for the deficit is that the NPP Government came from a tradition that in the past, since the First Republic, castigated Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, our first President and his CPP Party for borrowing to construct the Tema Motorway, borrowing to construct the Akosombo Dam, and borrowing to construct Job 600.
Even going on further, just as far back
Mr. Joe Baidoe-Ansah 12:05 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, my point of order is that the Hon Member is misleading the House. He made a very sweeping statement. The statement is that the NPP Government blamed or chastised the NDC Government for borrowing for development. Madam Speaker, it is factually incorrect. We are in Parliament; we are Members of Parliament; and we are

privileged people. It is important for him to attribute it to a particular person.
Mr. J. T. Akologu 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, Hon Baidoe-Ansah is seeking justification or attribution for the statement that Hon Gabriel Essilfie made. Madam Speaker, hon. Baidoe-Ansah was in this House when Hon Dr. Konadu Apraku stated that this country was blessed with several economic potentials that it did not have to go out and borrow to develop; that everything was available in this country. Madam Speaker, if we are given time we will produce the Hansard to support this statement. So he should go and rather check his facts. Dr. Konadu Apraku made that statement on the floor of this House.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
Well, Hon Member, he says that it was made in this House.
Mr. Baidoe-Ansah 12:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, we should take this exercise very seriously. The statement was made by him. He might have the evidence. Madam Speaker, he made the statement and without him having the evidence, he should withdraw. If he claims that he has it, let him withdraw and then when he produces it we can continue. Yes, Madam Speaker, he cannot say somebody made a statement and get away with it.
Madam Speaker 12:05 p.m.
The point of order is taken, if I am allowed to rule on it -- Because before I rule on a point of order we have both sides coming in -- [Interruption.] A point of order has been made, if I am allowed to rule on it.
The order was that the last hon. Member who spoke, hon. Essilfie was misleading the House when he said that the NPP Government through some of the Ministers, I think, had said that borrowing was not necessary - borrowing for development, yes. And the objection was that it should be proved.
But even then it is a perception that the Hon Member formed from that and to say that he should come and prove it, you only come and prove a fact which you attribute to somebody. In any case, even if it needs to be proved, hon. Akologu has referred us to some Minister who said that. So if I am allowed to rule on it, I will; because we cannot have an argument on this point forever. Time is running and we thought we would finish this. I thought that hon. Essilfie is entitled to what he said. So Hon Member, shall we move on.
Mr. Essilfie 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, at this stage I would like to move on to the fishing industry. I also, like the President, have a very special interest in the fishing industry because my constituency depends primarily on the fishing industry.
Madam Speaker, with your indulgence and with your permission, I would like to quote from the Fisheries Act of 2002, Act 625 section 88 (1) and section 94 (2) and I would like this House to note that this Act was passed in this House in 2002 when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government was in power. Madam Speaker, section 88 (1) specifically states:
“A person shall not (a) permit to be used, use or attempt to use an explosive, a poison or any other noxious substance for the purpose of killing, stunning, disabling or catching fish, or in any way rendering fish more easily caught.”

Section 94 (2) says:

“The enforcement unit is responsible for:

( a ) m o n i t o r i n g , c o n t r o l and survei l lance of the fishing operations within t h e f i s h e r y w a t e r s b y whatever appro- priate means including, the management and running of a satellite ba se s t a t i on fo r u s ing satellite communica- tions for data transmission relating to the activities of foreign fishing vessels licensed to operate within the zone . . .”
Madam Speaker 12:15 p.m.
You have mentioned the Law, the Acts; you do not have to read the whole Act for us.
Mr. Essilfie 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much. Now the NPP Government passed these laws but in the eight-year period they did nothing, zoop, nada for the fishing industry. All those things that I have just narrated, those activities have been going on in our seas for the past eight years.
That is why I am very happy that our President, Professor John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills has stated categorically, with all confidence that he is going to correct these wrongdoings that have been perpetuated for the past eight years. And some of us are going to stand behind him, work with him to make sure we take care of our fishermen.
I know my Hon Brothers and Sisters at the other side of the aisle have got up but I want to sum up by saying this to them -- If indeed what I am saying is not true then why is it that during the run-off of the elections they were on their knees
Mr. D. B. A. Nitiwul 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I rise on Order 91 (1) (b). I want to elucidate a point that he raised earlier. The Hon Member said that we belong to a side that chastised Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. I was born five good years after Dr. Kwame Nkrumah died and I want to say that I grew up and saw and witnessed the founder of his party tell us that all that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah left was a national anthem and a flag. [Uproar.]
I do not remember anything my side did but I know and I remember that is what his founder, the party of which today he is a Member of Parliament -- [Inter-ruption] -- That is what he said. He should leave Dr. Kwame Nkrumah alone. We all respect him; after all, former President Kufuor -- They left Jubilee House to rot, they left the President's house to rot. [Interruptions.]
Madam Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Order! Order!
Mr. Nitiwul 12:15 p.m.
Even the family, they
left them to rot. And President Kufuor had to come and do all these -- Leave the man alone.
Mr. Essilfie 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, again, I want to stress that our President, His Excellency John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills is leading us in the right direction, to make sure the problems of our brothers and our sisters and our fathers, the fishermen and fishmongers will be solved once and for all.
I will conclude my contribution by
Mrs. Catherine Afeku 12:15 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, thank you for allowing this point of order. I come by Order 91. The Hon Colleague from Shama has grossly misled this House. In the first place the Fisheries Act, as far as I am concerned and the whole nation is aware, was not passed by the NPP Members of Parliament alone. In this House, a Law or an Act is passed in totality by all Members of Parliament in this House and we should accordingly reflect that unanimity and the collaboration of passing laws for the nation.
Secondly, another point of correction; the Jubilee House, that epitome of excellence -- [Uproar!] In other nations, even if you go to Mali, Togo, Burkina- Faso, Presidents are given a place of rest that accords respect and dignity to the nation. For the Hon Member to use those words to describe the home-to-be of our President, I take serious offence to that and I am sure the rest of the nation is very unhappy with him.
My Hon Colleague, should please, accordingly, reflect that these Bills and Acts and laws are passed in this House from the oneness, the unity of Members of Parliament and not one side. I beg to differ with him.
Mr. Essilfie 12:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you very much. I would like to wind up. I want my hon. Colleague Sister to understand that just as we learned -- When we went to our orientation seminar we were told that in this House, Acts are more or less introduced by Government, the Executive and then they come to Parliament and we debate on them. So once they are completed then they are Acts that came from the Government.
Madam Speaker, I want to thank you so much for the opportunity and I do hope that we will all rally behind the President for such brilliant and visionary goals that he has set for the nation for us to achieve so that Ghana will be for all of us and not for a few, a privileged few. Thank you very much.
Madam Speaker 12:15 p.m.
Hon Boafo? Time is running out, please. Let us now keep to time, five minutes for Backbenchers; ten minutes for Leadership.
Mr. William Ofori Boafo (NPP -- Akropong) 12:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am grateful for being called upon to contribute to the State of the Nation Address by His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills. Madam Speaker, I would like to refer to the Official Report of 19th February, 2009, column 477, and with your permission, I will read:
“Unfortunately, for far too long, Governments have attempted to provide human security without the involvement of the security agencies. We will therefore be spending this year, holding a series of dubars with the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Police Service, the Prisons
Service and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS). Through these durbars we will be able to identify their concerns and factor these into our State of the Nation Address for the year 2010 and also the Budget for 2010.”
Madam Speaker, I would like to
make the following observation on this particular portion that I have quoted from the Official Report. In the first place, His Excellency was exhaustive in the list of the security agencies that he will consult; but unfortunately, he left the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
We are not aware of any Executive Act to declassify GIS or to bring GIS under any other arm of the security agency. It is very unfortunate, and I hope that the necessary correction will be made and GIS will not feel that they have been left out of the security agencies in the country.
Madam Speaker, secondly, it appears that so far as the year 2009 is concerned, the State of the Nation Address did not touch on anything that happens to be the policy or the programme for the security services. His Excellency was very explicit in the Address that he would be postponing whatever is required for these agencies until his 2010 Address and 2010 Budget.
Madam Speaker, I do not know whether we can ascribe the spate of lawlessness in this country to this lack of attention that we have in this country now. [Interruption] -- The lawlessness that is going on in this country because -- [Interruption] -- Madam Speaker, it is clear; the intensity of lawlessness in this country since the 7th of January, 2009 is a clear indication that no sufficient provision has been made to cater for the security services to take care of the security situation.
That is why lawlessness is so pervasive.
Mr. William Ofori Boafo (NPP -- Akropong) 12:25 p.m.


Madam Speaker, in Ghana we pride

ourselves in the fact that our men of Ghana Armed Forces have excelled in peacekeeping operations all over the world. We have heard of how they have excelled in la Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, DR Congo and Lebanon.

Madam Speaker, we would have liked to hear from His Excellency that so far as Ghana's role in peacekeeping is concerned, he is going to upgrade it because by dint of hard work of our security men, apart from infantry role that we have been playing in certain areas, we have been able to secure the Aviation Unit in la Cote d'Ivoire.

In order that we will not lose the Aviation Unit, we would have liked to hear from His Excellency the President that the number of helicopters which are being used in la Cote d'Ivoire, he will be prepared to augment them to a higher level.
Mr. S. M. E. K. Ackah 12:25 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, my Hon Senior Colleague on the other side has made a statement which is misleading. He initially said that the President has not made any provision to stamp out lawlessness in the country. He quoted from page 7 of the State of the Nation Address. Madam Speaker, on the same page 7, where my hon. Colleague quoted that the President did not mention GIS and so on, the first paragraph states that - Madam Speaker, with your permission, I would like to quote:

“Upon my assumption of office, I directed the police and other security agencies to draw up an operational strategy to fight crime especially armed robbery. We will ensure the sustenance of the strategy and appeal for public support.”
Madam Speaker 12:25 p.m.
He has made a
point of correction so if you accept it let us move on.
Mr. Boafo 12:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I did not quote from the “King James Version”, I quoted from the Official Report. [Uproar] Madam Speaker -- [Laughter] -- it is not a prophetic saying; it is just a slip of tongue.
Madam Speaker, the other aspects which we would have liked the President to have drawn his attention to in respect of the Ghana Armed Forces is the fact that if you visit some of these peacekeeping areas, you will realize that in these areas, we have Engineering and Transport Units which are being taken care of by soldiers from Bangladesh and other areas.
We have two directorates in the Ghana Armed Forces; that is, Directorate of Engineering and Directorate of Mechanical Engineering. These two directorates can be upgraded so that they can also be pushed to the international level to assist or take over some of these units in some of these operational areas. We have the 49 Engineering Service, and the 48 -- 48 is for roads and bridges and the 49 for building and so forth. So these can be upgraded. We expect the President to address these issues so far as the Ghana
Armed Forces are concerned.
Madam Speaker, there is also the issue
of accommodation for the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service. This is something which cannot wait for a year to be attended to. The accommodation situation in both security agencies, that is the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Service calls for immediate attention.
Mr. Agbesi 12:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, point of order under Order 91.Madam Speaker, if you take the Address on page 7, all that my Hon Colleague is talking about have been adequately taken care of. Madam Speaker, on page 7 -- [Interruption] -- the Official Report is what I am reading. The President said:
“For far too long, Governments have sought to provide for the security of the people without involvement of the agencies responsible for security. We will be holding a series of durbars with the officers and men of the Ghana Armed Forces, the Police Service, the Prisons Service and the CEPS to elicit from them directly and at first-hand what their concerns and needs are . . .”

This is exactly what the President said, and he has made provisions that he was going to meet them to know their problems, how to solve them.

Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleague is the immediate past Deputy Minister for Defence and yet the concern he is raising has been there for eight years; he never
Mr. Boafo 12:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I was dwelling on the fact that the President in his Address deferred all these urgent issues to the year 2010 - the Address for that year and the Budget for 2010.
Madam Speaker, some of my hon. Colleagues were not in this House when the President presented his State of the Nation Address.
Madam Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Hon Member, address me and carry on with your contribution.
Mr. Boafo 12:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, as I was saying, we wanted to draw the President's attention to the fact that the issue of accommodation which we started needs a continuation and it cannot wait for another one year. We started it, both in the military and in the police so we are calling upon him not to defer it for a year but to consider it as a priority and tackle it immediately.
Madam Speaker, apart from the hard- line aspect of defence and security, we have the soft line also and that is in respect of providing modern technological equipment for both the Ghana Armed Forces and the police in detection of crime. This is something which calls for urgent attention which cannot be deferred for a year 2010, his State of the Nation Address and the Budget.
Madam Speaker, I would also like to refer to the President's State of the Nation Address so far as the Judiciary is

concerned. The President undertook to help the Judiciary in its developmental and law reform efforts.

Madam Speaker, there is the need for His Excellency the President to turn his attention to continue with the automation of the courts so far as the trial of cases are concerned because that is where there is the delay. And I will urge His Excellency the President to descend to the circuit courts and the district courts where a lot of cases pile up so that automation can be extended to these courts to expedite and fast-track trials as far as these courts are concerned.

Madam Speaker, there is also the issue of law reform. The other institutions set up by the Constitution, which are, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and others are not only in need of physical structures in these areas; they are equally in need of law reforms so that they perform effectively in the society. Madam Speaker, I will give you one example and that is

CHRAJ.

Madam Speaker, so far as CHRAJ is concerned, after they have gone into a case and given their opinion or judgement, it has no outfit to enforce its own findings or judgements. The person in whose favour the case has been pronounced has to go to the High Court to enforce it; and they have to wait for a three-month specified period before the enforcement can be done.

This is something which I would like His Excellency the President to turn his attention to and direct the Office of the Attorney-General to see to it that an amendment is made to the necessary law so that CHRAJ can have enforcement powers and also the time for

the enforcement should be abridged. Three months is too long a period to wait. For example, if somebody is found to have been wrongfully dismissed and he needs to be compensated, he cannot collect his compensation soon; he has to wait for a three-month period.

Madam Speaker, some years ago, three judges and a retired soldier were coldly murdered and a partial investigation was carried into this matter. The Ghana Bar Association has from time to time called upon the authorities concerned to revisit this matter. Madam Speaker, we would like His Excellency the President to include the further investigation into the cause of this cold murder in the lingering issues of justice.

Madam Speaker, we are all witnesses to the pre-election pronouncements which were made by His Excellency the President. But Madam Speaker, it is rather unfortunate that some of these pronouncements which he made during the pre-election time did not reflect in the State of the Nation Address. Madam Speaker, this is the party now in Government which promised Ghanaian school-going children that as soon as they came to power they
Mr. Akologu 12:35 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, my Hon Colleague opposite has made a statement bordering on the murder of the three judges and a military officer. Madam Speaker, the records as we know in this country show that this matter was investigated, a report was made and the matter had been dealt with.
For the Hon Member to still have in his mind that there is something still outstanding to be done about it is strange because he belonged to a Government that had eight good years, an opportunity to do what he is asking to be done. They did not do it because the matter had been dealt with and closed. There was a commission of inquiry; it submitted a report and the matter had been dealt with.
So Madam Speaker, I want the Hon Member to withdraw that portion because it is not supported by any facts that it still exists. The matter had been dealt with and closed. He should withdraw that portion that it should be looked into again.
Madam Speaker 12:35 p.m.
Hon Member, I think you can only rise on a point of order about correcting it but to withdraw it, I do not think you are -- I think you can -- that nothing has been done.
Mr. Akologu 12:35 p.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. If he corrects it, it amounts to the same thing as withdrawing it.
Madam Speaker 12:35 p.m.
No, it does not; the correction is that he said nothing has been done and you are saying something has been done and it will appear in the Official Report.
Mr. Akologu 12:35 p.m.
He should carry on; he should take it on board.
Madam Speaker 12:45 p.m.
It is not a question of withdrawing. You have made a point of correction.
Mr. Boafo 12:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the call by the President in respect of the Ya-Na, it could also be said that that particular case had been investigated and closed -- [Interruptions] -- There was a commission of enquiry -- [Interruption.]
Madam Speaker 12:45 p.m.
Hon Member,
he did not bring the Ya-Na matter. He was correcting the murder of the judges and he is saying that people have been prosecuted. So I ruled that it is a correction that something has been done. So if there is any other point, address it to me but on this point that he got up I have ruled on that. In the case of the murder of the judges, he said you have said nothing was done and he is saying some people have been prosecuted.
Mr. Boafo 12:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I did not make any statement on the floor of the House to the effect that nothing was done so far as the cold murder of the judges is concerned. My statement was to the effect that some of us are of the opinion that the investigation which was done was not thorough and we are asking for further investigations into the matter.
Madam Speaker, when one talks about security we are not only talking about the defence of the territorial integrity of this country or the protection of our internal security by the police but we also have in mind certain things which happen in the country which can create situations of insecurity. And Madam Speaker, I would like to only dwell on one of such situations - that is the insecurity of employment in the country.
Madam Speaker, I am looking for a day like what happened during President
Mr. Kobla Mensah Woyome (NDC -- South Tongu) 12:45 p.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to comment on the State of the Nation Address delivered by His Excellency the President.
Madam Speaker, the State of the Nation Address delivered by His Excellency the President should be lauded and His Excellency must be congratulated and thanked. It should be noted that His Excellency, the President in his Address tried to situate the state of the nation's economy by showing how the global economy has been doing for the past months. This, Madam Speaker, was to enable us to make a well-informed decision on how to move the country's economy forward in the right direction. Madam Speaker, this, I believe, is a move to restore confidence in the economy which is a necessary condition for the steady growth of the private sector.
Madam Speaker, the situation where one comments on the economy as was done by a number of my hon. Colleagues on the floor without considering the compelling economic situation spanning the years 1998 and 2000, where Ghana's economy suffered due to low price for our chief exports, that is gold and cocoa
against high cost of crude oil imports on the world market and not forgetting the country servicing its debts as well owed to the bilateral institutions -- We should also not lose sight of the weather conditions at the time which actually affected agriculture, therefore affecting our food security.
Dr. Osei 12:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I come under Order 89. With your permission if I may read:
“A Member shall not read his speech, but may read extracts from written or printed documents . . .”
Madam Speaker, as I look at him he appears to be copiously reading from his notes. I just want to remind him.
Mr. Woyome 12:55 p.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you. I was referring from time to time to my notes. So my Hon Colleague over there should be well-informed of what I normally do here, just to refer to some points.
Madam Speaker, the positive aspect of
His Excellency the President's Address to the House and the nation at large actually gave us a good assurance that the economy would be fix and that alone must give us all the confidence that we are definitely moving with the right person at the helm of affairs.
Madam Speaker, agriculture, as we
all can attest to, is really the mainstay of
Ghana's economy and by statistics which I will quote which I believe my hon. Colleague over there would understand is about 40 per cent of our GDP is accounted for by agriculture and livestock, forestry and fishing. A considerable employment in the country --
Mr. Kofi Frempong 12:55 p.m.
Madam Speaker,

Madam Speaker, thank you very much.
Mr. Woyome 12:55 p.m.
Madam Speaker, well,
I thank my Hon Colleague on the other side; but I just made myself clear a while ago that I was referring to my notes from time to time - [Hear! Hear!] - And it is allowed by the Standing Orders to make such references.
Considerable employment depends
on agriculture and it is in this that I will want us to applaud His Excellency the President for giving much emphasis to the agricultural sector in the State of the Nation Address. Madam Speaker, however, one area under agriculture that has not seen much Executive commitment for solutions has been the poultry industry due to over- liberalization. Madam Speaker, the poultry industry, as a matter of fact, and an urgent move by His Excellency the President and the Government for that matter, must do well to rescue the situation.
Madam Speaker, it is my hope that His Excellency the President in his commitment to improving the agricultural sector, not only to stabilize the country's food security but also to create employment,
Mr. Woyome 1:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I will want to use
this wonderful opportunity to urge all to actually support His Excellency the President in driving this country to that glorious economic boom under the NDC Government.
I believe that the State of the Nation Address has been one of the best and has really touched on almost every aspect of our economy and on our socio-economic development. I must say that H.E. the President must really be commended, thanked for this wonderful, and I must say, the greatest State of the Nation Address ever to be given by a sitting President at least in a decade.
At this point, Madam Speaker, and being very conscious of our time, I also want to wind up by saying that our hon. Colleagues on the other side must do well to really remind ourselves of what H.E. the President said on building a consensus on most of the issues that are brought to this House.
I believe whilst we hold these discussions, we must find a place for consensus on a lot of issues in the interest of this country to really move this country in the right direction that, I believe, we all share in, and not to disappoint our constituents who voted for us and brought us here to do what is expected in --
Madam Speaker, I want to say a very big thank you once again to you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the motion on the floor; I appreciate this, thank you.
Mr. S. K. B. Manu (NPP -- Ahafo
Ano South): Thank you Madam Speaker, for giving me the floor to contribute to the motion to thank His Excellency the President for appearing upon the House to deliver his State of the Nation Address. -- [Interruptions] -- You do not under- stand why I said that. Madam Speaker, he appeared upon the House, please. If you do not understand, you may see me afterwards and I will take you through -- [Hear! Hear!] -- Yes.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank
the President for abiding by the provisions of the 1992 Constitution and appearing to deliver the State of the Nation Address. However, let me quickly mention that it is the first time in the history of the delivery of the State of the Nation Address in this House that dignitaries such as Nananom, traditional leaders were not recognized.

The diplomatic corps was equally not recognised and worse of it, the Vice President was also not recognised and I find that to be a very serious breach and omission on the part of the President. But I can understand. It was the first time that he was appearing before this august House and such lapses could be accepted. But I hope when he appears in 2010, he would have corrected such lacuna that I found in the Address.

Madam Speaker, the President made a

very important statement to the effect that he was going to set aside the birthday of the first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to be christened as the Founder's Day. Much as I agree with him on that, I would like to suggest that, in a football match, it is the player who puts the ball in the net whose name is finally recorded on the score sheet. However, when bonuses are being paid, the team members who contributed to the scoring of the goal by the scorer are paid winning bonus as well.

In the light of this, I would like to state that though Dr. Kwame Nkrumah has his name as the person who fought for independence for this country, there are many others like Sergeant Adjetey and the Big Six -- J.B. Danquah, Obetsebi Lamptey, Akufo-Addo, William Ofori Atta, Ako Adjei, Paa Grant and many more, who also contributed towards the -- They really started the fight for indepen-dence for Dr. Nkrumah to put the icing on the cake.

So I would like to suggest that instead of the Founder's Day being singular, I would like the ‘s' to come after the ‘r' and then the apostrophe comes so that the ‘Founders' would be plural. [Hear! Hear!] On that day therefore, the contributions of all these people that I have catalogued and many more who may not have been named - their efforts would be recognised and tributes paid to them.

Madam Speaker, something was also

said about the educational reforms. I can understand His Excellency the President, that his party campaigned on change and therefore, having won power, would want to change everything including the educational reforms. However, let me say that though change is important, it becomes bad when it is just to score political points.

Madam Speaker, it becomes worse

when we seek to score political points at the expense of the future of our youth in this country. To quote His Excellency the President, using the Hansard of that day, 19th February, 2009, he said something at column 473 and with your indulgence, I would want to quote:

“As a nation, we must learn to add to what is working, and to change course only when it is in the national

interest so to do.”
Mr. Essilfie 1:05 p.m.
On a point of correction. Madam Speaker, my Hon Member is misleading this House trying to sell the idea that the President, somehow stated that the NDC, because we won on the platform of change, and since he is the President, he is going to be changing things for the sake of changing. But indeed, I want to remind my hon. Friend that at page 2 of the President's Address, he stated that we will learn as a nation to add to what is working and to change course only when it is in the national interest to do so.
Mr. Manu 1:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I think what the hon. Member for Shama just said is worth ignoring and I treat it with that much contempt.
Madam Speaker 1:05 p.m.
Hon Manu, the Hon Member is entitled to his point of order and he says that it is a point of correction. So either you accept it but you do not treat it with contempt because it would appear in the Official Report; so carry on, please.
Mr. Manu 1:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the import of what I was saying is that the President himself has acknowledged that change would only be effected when it is necessary and in the interest of the nation. My point is that the education reforms
have just started. We have not seen the impact of the reforms. So based on what are we judging the need to change it?
So I am saying that we must allow time for the reforms to be carried through so that we can measure the import of it and if there is the need indeed to change, then we change. That is the point I am making.
Madam Speaker, at the same column 473 leading on to column 474, paragraph 5, and I would like to quote from there too with your indulgence. The President said,
“To safeguard the constitutional independence of these institutions, namely, the Electoral Commission, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Media Commission and the National Commission on Civic Education, I would urge the House, through an amendment to your Standing Orders, to permit the leadership of these institutions to appear before you in person so as to defend their budgets.”
Mr. I. A. B. Fuseini 1:15 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, it is important to draw the Hon Member of Parliament, hon. Balado Manu's attention to what the President said. I know that he was the Chairman of the Education Committee and he fought relentlessly to ensure that the reforms went through. But the President of the Republic never said that he would change the period that has been assigned for secondary education or any of the structures of education of this country. He never said so.

He never said that he will change the duration of the school calendar, he never

said so.

Madam Speaker, he is grossly misleading this House and if he cares to know, he should read column 484 of the Hansard and he would appreciate exactly what H. E. the President of the Republic said on education.

Madam Speaker, it is grossly false to say that the President of the Republic said that he was going to change the educational calendar; it is wrong and I hope that my hon. Colleague speaks exactly to what H. E. the President said and not words the President never uttered.
Mr. Manu 1:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I never
Mr. Kofi Frimpong 1:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
I will draw your attention to an unusual practice in this House. Madam Speaker, the practice is that; when one refers to Order 92 (1) which reads:
“No Member shall interrupt any other Member except -- (a) by rising to a point of order, that is, where any of these Orders is alleged to have been infringed, . . .”
Madam Speaker, what we are seeing in this House is not infringement on any of the Orders. It is the practice that when anybody disagrees with the point being raised by a Member, he rises up on a point of order and he is not able to quote the Order the Member on the floor is infringing upon.
Madam Speaker, this is a bad practice, it has never been the case and if it is not
corrected, Madam Speaker, the debate on the floor of this House will not flow. So let us see people referring to certain Orders that are being infringed upon on the floor of the House before hon. Members stand on points of order.
Mr. Manu 1:15 p.m.
I thank him for his intervention. Madam Speaker, what I was driving at by quoting what H. E. the President said is that, it is not the mere appearance of the leadership of these institutions that would grant them the resources that they need. Indeed, that was what the President said in asking that we should amend our regulations so that they appear in person to defend their budgets.
What would help them is that even what has been approved by this House, through their Ministries and their Ministers should be made available to them. Often times what happens is that what has been approved is not even availed to these institutions. It is that which underlines their non- performance and not their mere appearance to defend their budgets that would improve upon their financial resources and their performance.
Madam Speaker, again, in fighting corruption the President said that he was going to cause certain Bills to be brought to the floor of the House for passage. Madam Speaker, mere passage of laws will not stem the tide of corruption in this country. If that were the case, Madam Speaker, the NPP Government enacted a number of Acts such as the Financial Regulations Act, the Public Procurement Act, the Whistleblowers Act, the Office of Accountability Act, the Auditor-General's Act, Internal Audit Act, yet the NDC in their campaign trumpeted that corruption was still on the rise in the country.
Mr. S. M. E. K. Ackah 1:15 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, the Hon Member on the other side of the House, Hon Balado Manu is misleading the House -- and I come by Order 91 -- in the sense that, he has himself enumerated a lot of anti-corruption Bills and Acts that have been passed by the NPP Government and yet he is trying to tell us that these Acts were passed without any effective implementation that is why they did not work.
He should tell us the actual work the Office of Accountability at the Presidency did by the creation of that Act. It was supposed to check corruption; so he should tell us what the Office of Accountability did. He should not come and tell us in the House that if the President says he is coming out with some Bills for the House to pass -- The President wants to make sure that he implements what he is going to establish and make sure that corruption is stemmed out.
Thank you.
Mr. Manu 1:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I take it

Madam Speaker, if H. E. the President is bent on fighting corruption pragmatically then his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD who has a case pending before the law courts
Mr. Manu 1:15 p.m.


Madam Speaker, H. E. the President also talked about Members of Parliament (MPs) Constituency Development Fund. And he said that was an indication that he had MPs at heart against the impression that he did not like MPs. According to him, that package he announced, should tell us that he cares for MPs.

Madam Speaker, my word to the President is this; the seemingly impasse between the MPs and the Executive which he leads, is not because of packages that we do not have. We as Members of Parliament of both sides of the House, swore an oath to uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of this country. [Hear! Hear!] And it is in the light of this that we found the President flouting the Constitution that he swore to protect.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
on a point of order. Madam Speaker, my Hon Friend is out of order. He mentioned Alhaji Mumuni's name. He has a case in court, he has appealed, the issue is sub judice, he is not here to defend himself but the hon. Member has commented on it. We know it and I am coming under Order 93.
Madam Speaker, the Hon Member commented to the extent that he even worsened his case by quoting the oath that we swore. Legally, we do not have to mention any name here, we do not have to mention it because the case is in court. Madam Speaker, he is totally out of order and he must be asked to withdraw.
Mr. Frederick Opare-Ansah 1:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I believe my Hon
Colleague opposite is referring to Order 93 (1), but he would agree that it is neither in his place nor my place to determine whether a matter is sub judice or not. Indeed, it is and if you allow me, I would read Order 93 (1):
“Reference shall not be made to any matter on which judicial decision is pending in such a way as may, in the opinion of Mr. Speaker, prejudice the interest of parties to the action.”
So I do not know if there is any matter on which judicial decision is pending to which my hon. Colleague has, as it were, made an allusion to which in the opinion of Madam Speaker, would be prejudicial to the interest of any party. And so I would urge Madam Speaker to look at the matter and allow my hon. Colleague to continue with his contribution.
Madam Speaker 1:25 p.m.
Hon E. T. Mensah,
Is any part of the case pending?
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:25 p.m.
Yes, Madam
Speaker. Madam Speaker, the hon. Member should have read the Order 93(1) through. There is a case pending, hon. Alhaji Mumuni has appealed against the ruling, so it is inconclusive. In any case, we have said here over and over again Madam Speaker, that you do not mention people who are not in this House because they would not be here to defend themselves. That is another issue which is also very important.
Madam Speaker 1:25 p.m.
So should I take it
that an appeal is pending? Is that so?
Madam Speaker 1:25 p.m.
If an appeal is
Mr. Akologu 1:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, on
a point of order. Madam Speaker, quite apart from the pending appeal, the Hon Majority Chief Whip simply quoted or referred to Order 93 but the Minority Chief Whip decided to dwell on Order 93 (1). But if you take Order 93 (3), with your permis-sion I beg to quote:
“It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific Question upon which the House has come to a conclusion during the current Session, except upon a substantive motion for rescission.”
Hon Balado Manu went on to say that he should be withdrawn or he should step down until he is cleared and that he should go and purge himself. Madam Speaker, it amounts to challenging the decision of this House and Order 93 (3) frowns upon that; he has no such right. If he wants it, he should come by a substantive motion that this House should rescind its decision by approving hon. Mohammed Mumuni before we can reconsider it.
Mr. Opare-Ansah 1:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
my Hon Colleague's reference to Order 93 (3), in this matter, I believe, is not proper. The hon. Member did not request this House to either reconsider the decision on the approval of hon. Mumuni. He is only appealing to his good conscience, that just as other former Ministers did when they were faced with the same situation, it would be good if he could probably step down to fight his case and then be reconsidered by His Excellency in due course. So he has not, in any way, requested this House to reconsider the House's decision that it gave in approval of hon. Mumuni and therefore he cannot be out of order.
Madam Speaker 1:25 p.m.
Hon. Members, can
I give my ruling now? Standing Order 93 (1) prevents us from making reference to any pending matter in court. I agree that Order 93 (3) has no relevance here that is why I am going to deal with only Order 93 (1) because this is not reconsidering the decision which has already been ruled upon and I suppose the decision approving him. [Hear! Hear!] So that we are now to deal with Order 93 (1) which says reference shall not be made to any matter on which judicial decision is pending.
That is why I asked whether there is an appeal pending. [Interruptions.] Shall I finish my ruling? I am saying this because, I think it is public knowledge that a decision has been given but it would be pending if some other matter in relation to this is still in court.
If I am not assured of that, then I think the hon. Member is permitted to say what he said. [Hear! Hear!] Is an appeal pending?
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I
am not challenging your ruling. There is an appeal; I know for a fact that there is an appeal pending. It is public knowledge and today, this afternoon, the Hon Minister is having a press conference. The appeal has been filed and he is having a press conference this afternoon, he was on all the airwaves. You are only being dishonest.
Madam Speaker 1:25 p.m.
Hon Members, I
am informed by hon. E. T. Mensah that as far as he knows an appeal has been filed which means it is pending. [Inter- ruptions.] If it has been filed as to now it is pending.
In any case, I think you were all drawing me back because Hon Manu had already finished with that and leading onto
Mr. Opare-Ansah 1:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
if I can come in here. I believe a few moments ago, without the categorical statement from Hon E. T. Mensah, that indeed an appeal has been filed, all of us including yourself Madam Speaker, said that we were not aware of any such appeal that is existing. So for him to have gone on to then say that we are being dishonest is not proper because we could not have known but for his information. He is the only one privy to that information.
So we all argued from the point that, there is no case pending before any court and therefore the matter is not sub judice and we could comment on it.
So if he has that knowledge, it does not make the rest of us dishonest. In fact, we are all very hon. Members and I believe he would do the right thing by withdrawing that comment.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I just spoke to Alhaji Mumuni and he said he filed an appeal yesterday and the lawyer is Tony Lithur. So there is an appeal pending, it was on the air -- [Interruptions] --I am telling him. I heard it on air, I have called him and he has proven that he filed the appeal yesterday and his lawyer is Lawyer Tony Lithur.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Well, if I am allowed to make my ruling since the hon. Member -- unless you are doubting the
Hon Member -- he says an appeal was filed yesterday and if so it is pending. So maybe at this stage we should not allude to that matter which is pending from now.
Dr. A. A. Osei 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, we
do not doubt him, but the statement that “we are being dishonest” is what we object to and I think he should -- He is a senior Member of this House. He cannot impute this type of statement to us and he should withdraw.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Member, I think it is the word “dishonest”, because obviously they did not know. It is only now that you have informed all of us so probably the word “dishonest” they have taken objection to.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the reference is also objectionable; he must also withdraw the reference. And what I said was that anybody - Madam Speaker, he who the cap fits must wear it. I said anybody who is saying that he or she does not know that yesterday the appeal was filed is being dishonest, that is it.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Member, I think it is the word “dishonest” that they are taking -- not the fact that -- it is unparliamentary language.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, it means that they are not being forthright, not dishonest.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Hon Member, “dishonest” is an unparliamentary word, you know, in this House, and for that reason I will ask you honourably to withdraw.
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I did not refer to any specific person. I said anybody who in this House is saying that he or she is not aware is being dishonest -- [Interruptions.] So if the cap fits you -- It is withdrawn, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
Thank you, Hon Member, can we continue? Hon Member, your time is running out, can you wind up? We have to finish this motion today.
Mr. Manu 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, that matter has been settled. All that I am saying is that if we want to fight corruption, if we want to be seen to be interested in fighting corruption then we must take pragmatic measures for people to see and recognize that we are really fighting corruption.
Madam Speaker, regarding the MPs Common Fund, what I want to say is that it is not a novelty. It is something that exists. Under the District Assemblies Common Fund, MPs are given a portion.
What I guess His Excellency wants to do is to perhaps increase the quantum that goes to Members of Parliament; because now that it has been mentioned to the whole world that MPs are going to be given a fund for development, capital projects would be given to MPs to execute such as roads, I would urge that the quantum that would come to MPs as MPs Development Fund must be huge enough to be able to meet the demands and the pressures that that statement is bringing upon Members of Parliament.
Madam Speaker, at page 7 of the
Address -- [An Hon Member -- Which one, the King James Version?] -- That is the booklet, mention was made, 4th paragraph -- [Interruption.]
Mr. E. T. Mensah 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, hon. Balado Manu is misleading himself, the House and the country on the issue raised by the President that MPs would be given development fund. He is an old Member of this House and he is aware

that the District Assemblies Common Fund is distributed based on a formula. So whatever he is going to bring would be based on a formula.

So he cannot tell the country that -- he is talking about giving them money to build roads and what have you. He is misleading himself and misleading the country and this must be corrected -- [Interruptions] - They know they cannot heckle me, so they can heckle all they want and I will make my point.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
I do not see any of the leaders here.
Mr. S. K. B. Manu 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am here, I am still on floor.
Madam Speaker 1:35 p.m.
I thought there was an Order which says you could come in and correct an impression or fact which is being given and that the other side would have to allow you to do it. Is that not a convention here, or is it not in an Order here? I do not have it straight away so maybe, we would defer ruling on this. I will give the ruling before we close today, so let us carry on - I will give the ruling later on.
Hon. Member, you have to wind up
now, we have two other contributors before --
Mr. Manu 1:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I appreciate your concern but I am more concerned about the interruptions that are really not relevant but are being posed to me.
At page 7 of the booklet, the one christened King James Version, the President at paragraph 4, alluded to the murder of Ya-Na, Issah Mobila and others and said that justice relating to their murder was still lingering and he was going to fight to bring to closure that matter. I do accept that anybody in this
Mr. Manu 1:35 p.m.


country who is murdered in cold blood must be given justice.

It is in that same light that I am calling upon the President that instead of raking the wounds we have cases at hand now in Bawku where four people were killed yesterday. We have the hon. Member of Parliament, the mother's house has been burnt down -- just yesterday. We have somebody murdered in Agbogbloshie, three people at Jakpahi in Kumbungu Constituency.

These are issues that are very recent and people are wailing over them and want justice. So if the President is committed to giving justice in murder cases then I would want him to take on board these recent murders and give justice to those who deserve them.

Madam Speaker, to wind up, let me say that the NDC mentioned and campaigned that when they came to power they were going to expand the School Feeding Programme to include all primary schools. That is found, Madam Speaker, at page 72, paragraph 5 of the NDC's manifesto.
Mr. Akologu 1:45 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, Hon Balado Manu, a short while ago, made reference to the recent happenings in Bawku and called on the President to be proactive in resolving them. Madam Speaker, perhaps the Hon Member did not tune into his wireless or did not watch television yesterday.
For the information of hon. Balado Manu, His Excellency, the President has directed his Vice-President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama to proceed to Bawku to look into the matter with a view to finding a lasting solution to it, to which the security agencies have so far been contacted and their advice is being awaited before the Vice-President
makes a move.
So the President is proactive and he means what he says in his Address that he would ensure that the rights of everybody in this country are protected.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Manu 1:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am very much aware that the Vice-President has been asked to go there. One would have expected the Minister for the Interior to take charge of that matter. And in any case, the Vice- President is going to Bawku, I would like to know who is going to Agbogbloshie; who is going to Jakpahi; who is going to Kunbumgu. They must tell us. They also need justice.
The people of Sunyani also need justice; not only Bawku. All around the country where atrocities are being meted out to people, they need justice. They must take that on board as well.
Madam Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to sum up by saying that no mention was made about the School Feeding Pro- gramme going all over to affect all primary schools. Now, they are saying they will send it to needy schools. Now, we have to determine which the needy schools are.
No mention was made of the school
uniforms. The children are waiting. The parents are waiting.
No mention was made about the fuel reduction. The drivers are waiting. Passengers are waiting.
The National Health Insurance Scheme -- the one time National Health Insurance Scheme payment. The people are waiting.
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon. Member, are
you winding up now?
Mr. Manu 1:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I am winding up by saying that nothing was said about railways. Meanwhile, the President noted that there were congestions on our roads. What can decongest the roads would be an effective and vibrant railway system.
Madam Speaker, because others also want to speak I would end here and call you a Daniella that is come to judgement.
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Thank you, Hon Member.
But, at this stage, I would come back to the point of order that I deferred. I think I was right. I am referring to Order 92 (1) (b) and if I may read it:
“(1) No Member shall interrupt any other Member except:
And I am going to the (1) (b) --
“to elucidate some matter raised by the Member speaking in the course of his speech, provided that the Member speaking is willing to give way and resume his seat, and that the Member wishing to interrupt is called by Mr. Speaker.”
That is why I have allowed a few people to make corrections when they say they are matters of correction. So, that is my ruling. Somebody was on his feet and I allowed him to correct a point and I was relying on this Order.
I was hoping that the Leadership was going to point it to me, but --
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
But if the Member is not willing to draw my attention and say he is not yielding, then I would be guided. But if he sits down, like I said before, I take it to mean that he is willing. And that is why I keep asking Members what point and what Order they are coming under so that we move very fast.
But maybe, at this stage, I would say that if you want to make a correction, you go there and you wish the Member on his feet will give you the permission to come and make the point.
Thank you.
rose
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Now, Hon Deputy Majority Leader, we have to move to the last contributor on the list today. Were you going to say anything about that Order of Madam Speaker?
Mr. Akologu 1:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, without challenging your judgement in this matter, the practice as contained here, is what gave room to the Speaker having to draw on the powers that she has to direct the affairs of this House and so by convention -- because most often the Member is unwilling to yield, so by convention -- my sixteen years, this is my seventeenth year in this House -- [Uproar] -- this Order as it exists has not been very practical but it has been kept there just as a measure of check.
But the convention that we apply in the House allows the Speaker to use the authorities she has in directing the affairs in this House to allow a Member to make a correction or give some information.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Thank you. I shall watch this very carefully in future.
Mr. Wisdom Gidisu (NDC -- Krachi East) 1:45 p.m.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity given me to contribute to the motion on the floor as moved and seconded by my Hon Colleagues in this House, to thank His Excellency the President for the wonderful Message he delivered to this august House on 19th February, 2009.
The Message, as I would say, is so conciliatory, so inspiring, so refreshing and Madam Speaker, I would say it is second to none -- [Hear! Hear!] -- Why am I saying this, Madam Speaker?
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Member, can I just interrupt you?
Mr. W. Gidisu 1:45 p.m.
Yes.
Madam Speaker 1:45 p.m.
Hon Members,
having regard to the state of Business in the House, Sitting will be extended beyond the prescribed period in accordance with Order 40 (3).
Carry on, Hon Member.
Mr. W. Gidisu 1:55 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
why am I saying this? This Address seems to establish a cordial relationship and a consensus-building in all our delibera- tions in this country including Parliament. Madam Speaker, I think that if this is done, the relationship between Minority and Majority on the floor of Parliament will actually enable mother Ghana to overcome many challenges confronting her.

Madam Speaker, true collaboration in this House would definitely peruse such solutions. In the President's Address, the Hansard, column 473, the fifth paragraph to be precise and with your permission, I quote. This has been read on several occasions on this floor:

“As a nation we must learn to add to what is working and to change course only when it is in the national interest so to do. We will depart from the present practice of undoing the valuable contributions of our predecessors. A house that is constantly rebuilding its foundation remains doomed to be stuck at the foundation level, never nearing completion and decoration, let alone occupation.”

Madam Speaker, this is an indication that this is a man of a difference, a man of peace, a unifier and a man of integrity who can channel the cause of Ghanaians eloquently and dispassionately without fear or favour.

Madam Speaker, I want to say that the President's issue on resourcing some institutions in this country, this is a laudable idea. Institutions like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Electoral Commission (EC), the Media Commission, et cetera. I think that this is also one of the measures that would go a long way to address corruption in this country.

Madam Speaker, I want to further touch on health. He did indicate his commitment to the health sector. The President mentioned a number of hospitals and clinics that are earmarked to be upgraded, rehabilitated and constructed. I think if this area is given this attention it deserves it would go a long way to move mother Ghana forward in the right direction.

I want to lay much emphasis on the construction of district hospitals and community health care centres in newly- created districts. Madam Speaker, Krachi East is one of the newly created districts in this country which is without a district hospital at Dambai. Pregnant women and victims of snake bites are carried on bicycles; sometimes on trucks from different distances to the district capital, which is Dambai.

I want to say that if this area is given this attention and health posts, health centres, hospitals are established in all district capitals in this country, it would improve our health status because we know that the health delivery system in most areas in this country is poorly addressed, especially in my area, that is why I am saying this.

The President also linked his Address to education with particular reference to provision of staff accommodation nationwide. Madam Speaker, accommo- dation is one of the problems that confront workers in this country and teachers, nurses, et cetera, refuse postings to rural areas. Madam Speaker, some refuse entirely just because of lack of suitable accommodation and I think that, if this is provided nationwide it would go a long way to help our nation.

Madam Speaker, more importantly this nation faces a problem of implementation. Implementation of planned projects is very important and I want to urge all the sector Ministers and their deputies to be up and doing; to be precise, more proactive in all their undertakings so that the President's vision would be achieved for mother Ghana to attain no little success.

On this note, Madam Speaker, I thank

you very much for this opportunity.
Prof. Mike Oquaye (NPP 1:55 p.m.
None

Kwabenya): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to make the winding up remarks from this side of the House.

Madam Speaker, the President made a very good speech in many respects, particularly paragraph 5 of column 473 which I believe would go down in the annals of our history. His Excellency said, with your permission, I quote:

“As a nation, we must learn to add to what is working, and to change course only when it is in the national interest so to do. We will depart from the present practice of undoing the valuable contributions of our predecessors. A house that is constantly rebuilding its foundation remains doomed to be stuck at the foundation level, never nearing completion and decoration, let alone occupation.”

Madam Speaker, I beg to re-echo these words in view of our penchant to contort our own history from time to time and we, therefore, being misdirected in the process. Madam Speaker, I do this with regard to the President's call in paragraph 2 of column 474 and with your permission, if I may read from the Hansard:

“Among others, we intend to honour Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's memory with a national holiday to be known as Founder's Day and we shall be presenting appropriate legislation to Parliament.”

Madam Speaker, every award has a basis. The President gave the basis as follows; column 473, the last paragraph and he spoke correctly --

“. . . let me also acknowledge our first President of the Republic, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah,
Prof. Mike Oquaye (NPP 2:05 p.m.
whose selfless leadership still remains a point of reference in our desire to build a better Ghana.”
He was the first President of the Republic. That is the basis, and also there was reference to, and with your permission I quote:
“. . . whose selfless leadership still remains a point of reference in our desire to build a better Ghana.”

Madam Speaker, what H.E. the President said about Dr. Nkrumah was true and I may even want to add to Dr. Nkrumah's accolades, the Ghana Education Trust (GET) schools which gave tremendous access to education for our people, Tema Motorway, Akosombo, the Medical School. Many skeptics doubted Ghana's capacity at that time to have a medical school in this country.

The President went ahead, he brought top scholars from abroad and it became an excellent institution. And as for his strides in African unity, it is there for all to see and to talk about. And of course, notwithstanding the fact that in the process we were rather so generous that Guinea for example had a cool 10 million pounds, et cetera.

Yes, Madam Speaker, he was the

first President. There was tremendous development and definitely this was backed with the over 250 million pounds sterling standing in cash left by the British upon our independence. Yet, never-theless, even as we look at this, it is very useful perhaps to even overlook some of the tendencies of the one-party State and so on. As we all want to say, indeed, the President was an honourable man.

But Madam Speaker, there is one thing that we certainly cannot do in the year 2009. We cannot pretend and we cannot say that Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President, great President was the founder of the Republic of Ghana. [Hear! Hear!] Madam Speaker, perhaps by the time I have finished he may have changed his mind.

Madam Speaker, this House must be a House of learning and also dissemination of knowledge. Ghana does not have any one founder and Madam Speaker; I refer to our President Mill's statement. In order that we may have relevance Ghana cannot be going forwards and backwards. The Gas sometimes when we are going on agyabeng we say, see see, hie hie meaning going backwards, going forward and I believe this is what President Mills does not want.

Madam Speaker, in the 1960s, on

the coins that we used we had this Latin statement conditor Ghanaianses. That was to mean founder of Ghana. Madam Speaker, it created so much confusion in 1961 to 1966 because there were many who pointed out and very rightly that President Nkrumah was not the founder of the Republic and he could not put that on the coin of Ghana to his exclusive credit which was not so.

Madam Speaker, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah

left the shores of Ghana in 1935. He studied very well. He worked in the United States (US) and England and returned to Ghana in December 1947. It was done on the invitation of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) leaders. They paid his fare. They paid for everything that he needed and in fact, he was the only paid member of the UGCC at all material times when he came.

Madam Speaker, on the 28th of February, the famous event occurred sparking off the nationalist agitation. Dr. Nkrumah at that time had been in

Ghana for only two months plus. What could he, so extraordinarily have done in two months that one could say he was the author or sparker of that wonderful reaction to the ex-service men's protest.

Madam Speaker, Nkrumah alone did not start what happened. The fathers of the process at that time were there and they included Paa Grant, J. B. Danquah, Obetsebi Lamptey, Ako Adjei, Akufo- Addo, William Ofori Atta and others.

Madam Speaker, one undisputable truism is this. There was a Nationalist Movement, in fact, at that time that Nationalist Movement had drafted a constitution for the Republic of Ghana. That National Movement had chosen the emblem of the eagle for Ghana. That Nationalist Movement had done all the basic things that we needed as a people. Madam Speaker, Dr. Nkrumah was great but some people invited him to come and help. To come and help what? If there was nothing, he could not put something on nothing.

Dr. Nkrumah may be honoured in many

ways and one may even decide to have a holiday some time for him. But Madam Speaker, as for founder, it would be most fallacious and most unfortunate. Madam Speaker, it has been opined that how can you have more than one founder? It is unfortunate but perhaps we better go on learning.

Madam Speaker, Achimota School which incidentally is the alma mater of H.E. the President has got three founders and they celebrate the founders' day in plural terms, every year -- Aggrey, Fraser, Guggisberg. Madam Speaker, in the USA sometimes some people have said Washington was the founding father of the USA.
Mr. Akologu 2:05 p.m.
On a point of order. Madam Speaker, I respect the Hon Second Deputy Speaker very much. Madam Speaker, you have also just informed this House that you have extended the Sitting time.
Madam Speaker, arrangements have not been made to take care of Hon Members here on other matters concerning the extension of this time. Madam Speaker, we know that it is good to learn but with all due respect the Hon Second Deputy Speaker would be given an opportunity from this side some day to lecture this House on the foundation of this country. Madam Speaker, what he has told us is enough, he should proceed and then we make progress.
Madam Speaker 2:05 p.m.
Hon Member, I think the point that he raised was a question of time because the Committee had already allocated time. So can you hurry up so that --
Prof. Oquaye 2:05 p.m.
Madam Speaker,
we have some twenty minutes to wind up and I am using the time given to me
Prof. Oquaye 2:15 p.m.
by my side. If this is just to avoid our appropriate contribution, I think it would not be proper. Madam Speaker, the Good Book tells us, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.”

Madam Speaker, we should have to

recognise, it is a very, very important matter to us. A Founder's Day. There cannot be anything more important though there are so many other important matters in His Excellency's presentation and I choose to elucidate on that matter within the time allocated to me. And I will be very grateful if I will be simply allowed to proceed uninterrupted.

On the 4th of August 1947 -- [interruption] -- How do you know who are the founding fathers without referring to history? On the 4th of August 1947 -- [Interruptions] -- That day --
Mr. Akologu 2:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, on a point of order. Order 93 (2) states that:
“It shall be out of order to use offensive, abusive, insulting, blasphemous or unbecoming words or to impute improper motives to any other Member or to make personal allusions.”
I take exception to the reference that the Hon Second Deputy Speaker made to the Good Book which says that “My people shall perish for lack of knowledge”. I take exception to it and I feel offended by that statement and I want him to withdraw that also because it came immediately after I rose on a point of order on time.
Even though it is a quotation, I believe that it is imputing an offence on me. [Interruptions.] I believe so and that is why I am coming by this Order that the
Mr. Opare-Ansah 2:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I believe the Hon Second Deputy Speaker was only quoting the Bible, Hosea Chapter 4: 6. It says:
“For the lack of knowledge my people perish.”
Mr. Akologu 2:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I refer
to Standing Order 93 (2) that it seems -- I am being compelled at this point to also refer to Standing Order 94 and with your permission I beg to quote:
“If a Member uses objectionable words and on being called to order fails to retract or explain the words and offer an apology to the satisfaction of Mr. Speaker, any Member may, with the consent of Mr. Speaker, move that the Member using the objectionable words be no longer heard, and the Question on that motion shall be put forthwith without amendment or debate.”
Before I fully apply myself to this Order, I just want to stick to Order 93 (2)
and plead and request my Hon Colleague, the Deputy Speaker to withdraw that because I feel offended by it. Otherwise, I will apply myself fully to Order 94.
Madam Speaker 2:15 p.m.
Hon Akologu was referring to Order 93 (2). This ruling will be very short. I do not think that anything that the Second Deputy Speaker said infringed that. [Hear! Hear!] And so I will ask the honourable to carry on.
Prof. Oquaye 2:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, thank you. I will respectfully beg that notice must be taken of the fact that five minutes is gone. On the 4th of August 1947, the founding fathers of this country met in Saltpond, Saltpond being the head-quarters at that time of the Joint Provisional Council of Chiefs, Lawyers, Doctors, Businessmen, every people was there. Incidentally Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had then not arrived.
On that occasion, birth was given to the Nationalist Movement. Among other groups Obetsebi-Lamptey's naming of the Gold Coast, Danquah's Youth Conference and a host of all others that came under one umbrella to fight for the indepen-dence of Ghana and the declaration of self- emancipation to the people of Ghana was made on that occasion. I will beg to quote what Dr. Danquah said on that occasion.
Madam Speaker 2:15 p.m.
Hon Member, I think they are complaining about time.
Prof. Oquaye 2:15 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I have twenty minutes.
Madam Speaker 2:15 p.m.
Even though we are enjoying it, if you can just quickly finish within time.
Prof. Oquaye 2:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the
decision was taken that day for the country to become an independent nation. When Dr. Kwame Nkrumah said on the eve of independence that our nation Ghana was free forever, he was echoing that statement made on that day for the name to be Ghana, for the emblem to be Eagle and the date to be 6th March, whatever, whether it was 1954, 6th or 7th, but the date for the independence should be 6th March in accordance with the Bond of 1844 which was signed on the 6th of March 1844.
This is to simply say that all these arrangements had been made and when these arrangements had been made over which President Nkrumah later came to add, contribute and indeed I say he was great.

Madam Speaker, when the 1948 riots occurred, it was Danquah who sent that historic telegram to the British Government asking that the Gold Coast should be free; asking that the Gold Coast should be independent; asking that law and order having broken down, they were meeting to draw up a constitution, and that the British must work with them to acknowledge.

Madam Speaker, as a result of this, the Watson Commission was set up; you cannot talk about independence without that. And the Coussey Committte also came up as a Committee of Ways and Means -- [Interruption] -- Madam Speaker, unfortunately, it has even been said and argued that it was Nkrumah alone who proclaimed independence on the Old Polo Ground.

Madam Speaker, Nkrumah was echoing on that occasion that which had already been promulgated in London; and it is only one person, in any case, who will make a declaration. But Madam Speaker, the one person who makes the declaration is not
rose
Prof. Oquaye 2:25 p.m.
Madam Speaker, the Good Book once more says:
“One man sows, another waters, God gives this increase.
And this is a way of appreciating -- [Interruption] -- Madam Speaker, I must protest and seek your protection because I am being seriously disturbed.
Madam Speaker, I seek the protection of the Chair because I take objection to this disturbance, so that there can be a good debate.
Madam Speaker, when the Convention People's Party (CPP) was formed, the word “Convention” itself came out of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC). Madam Speaker, it tells us of that umbilical cord between the UGCC and the CPP, and that cord explains a very important aspect of our history. It was a collective effort; the eagle, and the name Ghana had been chosen. The eagle as the emblem had been chosen six months by the UGCC Leadership before Nkrumah arrived in Ghana.
Madam Speaker, the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency President Atta Mills himself, said at column 487 of his Address, and Madam Speaker, I beg to quote:
“Our foreign policy was fashioned for us by the founders of the nation based on positive neutrality”.

Our President's word in that connection is the true version. Madam Speaker, “the founding fathers”, the President himself said it.

Madam Speaker, I will beg His Excellency to put his two statements together, reconcile them accordingly and spare this nation an unnecessary re-visitation of who and who. It was a collective effort, and that is the truism of history. It must be duly acknowledged because that is the truth of history, and it will save us all, and do us all a lot of good, that we will have true reflection passed on to our children and our children's children.
Mr. J. T. Akologu (NDC -- Talensi) 2:35 p.m.
Madam Speaker, we have come a long way so I do not intend to be long. After a few remarks I will defer to the mover of the motion to wind up.
Madam Speaker, so soon we have come to the end of this debate. I wish to thank all Hon Members for expressing their opinions. I believe that the authorities would consider those that need to be considered, and those that need to be put in the wardrobe, would be put in there.
Madam Speaker, there have been some people who have expressed the desire that this single State of the Nation Address by the President should have contained all the solutions to our problems within this year. Madam Speaker, I want to remind such people that the President has four years to deliver on his promises to the good people of Ghana. And there is a Latin phrase that festina lente, make haste slowly or hasten slowly.
Madam Speaker, again, some people want to dictate how the President should do his work. I want to remind such people that His Excellency the President is guided by the Constitution and the NDC manifesto which majority of Ghanaians accepted and voted for. I am particularly,
emboldened to make this reference because Senior Minister, former Member of this House, Hon J. H. Mensah used to tell us in this House that --
“Look, Ghanaians have given us the mandate to rule, leave us alone, and we shall deliver”.
Madam Speaker, on this note, as I have indicated, I do not want to take the time of everybody, but I just want to refer to our Standing Orders and quote the portion of our morning prayers that I think we should all go and read, both the Official Report and the State of the Nation Address that we are using into that portion of the prayer; and then we shall see the great wisdom of the President. Madam Speaker, with your permission, I quote:
“O God, grant us a vision of our country, fair as it might be, a country of righteousness, where none shall wrong his neighbour; a country of plenty, where evil and poverty shall be done away with; a country of brotherhood, where all success shall be founded on service, and honour shall be given to the deserving; a country of peace, where govern- ment shall rest on the will of the people and the love for the common good. Bless the efforts of those who struggle to make this vision a living reality. Inspire and strengthen our people that they may give time, thought and sacrifice to speed the day of the coming beauty of Ghana and Africa.”
If you have carefully studied this portion of the Address, you will see human rights in it. You will see welfare matters in it: housing, accommodation, feeding, clothing, everything in the State of the Nation Address. You will see the expression of the will of the people in this
State of the Nation Address.
Madam Speaker, I think it is a good thing that the President has thought of the idea of the Founder's Day, and I can see why so many people are now struggling to get people they also feel should be associated with the Founders Day to be included. They are not objecting to it; they are saying that it should not be only one person. But Hon Fuseini Inusah will deal with that aspect in-depth.

Madam Speaker, it is also true that in this country, efforts have been made by some people to deface the legacy of Dr. Nkrumah, to reduce him to nothing.

Madam Speaker, not quite long ago, throughout the country, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government said they were building Jubilee Parks and so on. If you go to most of the regions, where they chose to build the Jubilee Parks are places that Kwame Nkrumah had established as places for rendezvous, places for public activities and so on. I will give you an example.

In Bolgatanga for instance, the Plaza was created by His Excellency, the Founder of this nation, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. But what has happened? If you go there now the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Government has pulled it down and put what they call Jubilee Park, thereby defacing the legacy of Nkrumah in the Upper East Region; and there are several others that you can look up. There is no wonder therefore, that the effort of His Excellency the President to honour this illustrious son of Ghana is being welcome but it is being called for an expansion. But it is difficult to associate ten people to an issue.

I also think that there are those who are
Mr. Inusah A. B. Fuseini 2:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, let me express my sincere gratitude to Hon Members of this House for their invaluable contributions to the debate or the motion on the floor of the House to thank the President of the Republic, for his maiden but important State of the Nation Address, that was delivered in this House on 19th February,
2009.
Madam Speaker, the views of Hon Members on the State of the Nation Address have been open, frank and candid and touched on very pertinent and critical issues that were raised by the State of the Nation Address.
I believe that the contributions of Hon Members have been very useful, important
and valuable and will help to shape and enrich the vision of the President of the Republic of Ghana for a better Ghana, for us, for our children and for our children's children. Even though I have said that the contributions were useful and important, I must hasten to add that some contributions were very critical of the President's State of the Nation Address and that is to be expected, because I think that a useful criticism inures to the benefit of the whole Republic.
Madam Speaker, the controversy has arisen as to whether or not it was proper and fit for the President of the Republic, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills to honour the memory of the First President by the institution of the Founder's Day. I think that it is important to assuage the feelings of Members and to draw their attention to the fact that in the making of history, there is always one defining moment, a moment that one can look back to and see that, that was it, that was the person who did the trick.
We all know that even before independence, the debate was whether we should have independence now or independence in the shortest possible time. And all of us, including my Hon Colleague and former Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, know those who stood for independence now and independence in the shortest possible time.
We are also aware, as I have said in the defining moments of time, we look up to one person. Everybody knows that J. B. Danquah is credited with the tradition of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), but history in this House tells us that a new lease of life was given to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when the first Minority Leader, S. D. Dombo of the Northern People's Party (NPP) took a deliberate and important decision to add about the thirteen seats that he held in Parliament as Minority
Leader, to one single seat that was held by the Ghana Party and named it United Party (UP).
That singular act of S. D. Dombo has never been recognized as representing the tradition of the New Patriotic Party. And justifiably so, Madam Speaker, why is that so? Because when you look back to history, you will see that the views and writings of J. B. Danquah greatly influenced the political ideology of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). So that was the defining moment; that was the defining moment when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) said we must have development in freedom.
So that is the very thinking, that is exercising the mind of the President of the Republic of Ghana to institute a Founder's Day to honour the memory of this great and illustrious son of this Republic who, against all odds, stood and said that it was better to have independence with all our mistakes than to have that freedom in servitude.
So let us not reduce this singular and important gesture of the President of the Republic of Ghana to a debate that characterized the journey to indepen- dence. It appears to me, Madam Speaker, that we are rehashing the debate towards independence and we have come a long way.
Ghana is about celebrating the 52nd Anniversary of our independence and Madam Speaker, I can give many examples. In the United States of America, Martin Luther's Day, the Martyrs Day, all of us who have read history and law will know that Martin Luther King did not start the fight for the recognition of the Civil Liberties of the Blacks.
He did not but the people of the United States of America looked up to that very act, that noble act standing against White supremacy in the United States of America and have honoured his memory with the institution of the Black Martyrs Day. Examples abound for everybody to see.

Madam Speaker, as I said earlier, the debate has been very enriching; the debate has been devoid of the usual intense partisan considerations which characterized former debates; the debate has been very refreshing. I believe that, in communicating our gratitude to the President of the Republic of Ghana, a line or two will be found which will capture the reasonable and legitimate concerns of Members of Parliament.

These concerns, I believe, are a reflection of the concerns of the people who elected us to represent them in this House. So one can understand that if Members of Parliament are raising some critical issues, which issues clearly are reasonably to be expected, those concerns will be brought to the attention of the Presidency for it to be captured in future State of the Nation Addresses.

Finally, Madam Speaker, I think that there were certain issues that were raised in this House. The issues touch and concern mundane matters, matters that one will reasonably expect to be captured in the Budget. I believe that in the coming days, the President of the Republic will present a Budget to this House; that Budget might answer some of the issues that have been raised in this House in connection with roads, in connection with hospitals, in
Prof. Mike Oquaye 2:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, I just wanted my Hon Friend not to be interrupted, but I feel obliged to make a very important point of correction when he was talking about Nkrumah speaking about freedom in servitude - The records must be kept straight. He said, “I prefer self-government to danger in servitude in tranquility”. This is for the records, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker 2:45 p.m.
Thank you, Hon Members. The debate is closed now. Hon Members, I will now put the Question.
Question put and motion agreed to.
Resolved: That this honourable House thanks H. E. the President for the Message on the State of the Nation which he delivered to this honourable House on Thursday, 19th February, 2009.
M a d a m S p e a k e r : A n d w i t h the adoption of the motion, formal communication from my Office will be made to His Excellency the President. Before adjournment, Hon Akologu, have you got any indication?
Mr. John T. Akologu 2:45 p.m.
Madam Speaker, no.
ADJOURNMENT 2:45 p.m.